{"id":235725,"date":"2019-06-18T08:52:00","date_gmt":"2019-06-18T08:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/?p=235725"},"modified":"2026-01-06T18:57:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T18:57:22","slug":"largest-solar-project-in-kansas-usa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/us\/news\/largest-solar-project-in-kansas-usa\/","title":{"rendered":"Sunflower Electric Power Corp. breaks ground on largest solar project in Kansas"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Largest solar project in Kansas<\/h1>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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Electric co-op members continue to diversify electric generation resources<\/h2>\n

Johnson City, Kan.\u2014June 17, 2019\u2014Sunflower Electric Power Corp. celebrated the ground-breaking of the 20-MW Johnson Corner Solar Project on June 17, 2019.<\/p>\n

The cooperatively operated wholesale generation and transmission utility, through a commonly owned Mid-Kansas Electric Company Inc., has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with Lightsource BP, an independent power producer that will finance, build, own and operate the solar facility.<\/p>\n

U.S. First District Congressman Roger Marshall and dignitaries from Sunflower, Mid-Kansas, Lightsource BP and the National Renewables Cooperative Organization attended the event. \u201cThe Johnson Corner Solar Project will be the largest solar project in Kansas, and that\u2019s definitely something to celebrate,\u201d said U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall. \u201cI congratulate Sunflower, Mid-Kansas, Lightsource BP, and NRCO on their successful collaboration to launch this project.\u201d<\/p>\n

The facility, which will be located approximately two miles southwest of Johnson City, Kan., is scheduled to be energized in first quarter of 2020.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe solar project is an example of fuel diversification to generate electricity,\u201d said Steve Epperson, Mid-Kansas chairman of the board and Sunflower board member. \u201cAs locally elected boards of directors, we have a responsibility to employ the right combination of traditional and renewable generation resources that protect both the affordability and reliability of electricity.\u201d<\/p>\n

The facility will produce approximately 55,500 megawatt hours annually, powering more than 4,900 homes across central and western Kansas and comprising one percent of the Mid-Kansas and Sunflower combined-system\u2019s energy.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur system is summer peaking, which means energy demand is highest during those months,\u201d said Stuart Lowry, president and CEO of Sunflower and Mid-Kansas. \u201cIn contrast to wind facilities, which generate the most energy during winter night hours, this project will generate energy on hot, summer days, providing protection against high market prices during those times.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLightsource BP is pleased to be part of the first of what we hope are many more large-scale solar plants across Kansas,\u201d said Kevin Christy, COO of North America for Lightsource BP. \u201cWebelieve solar is an important part of the state\u2019s future energy mix and a great additional source of income for Kansas farmers.\u201d<\/p>\n

The National Renewable Cooperative Organization with Sunflower and Mid-Kansas jointly developed the project and sourced Lightsource BP as the long-term partner.\u201c<\/p>\n

NRCO is pleased to have assisted its member-owner Sunflower in the development of this project,\u201d said Todd Bartling, vice president of renewables development at NRCO. \u201cWe believe that cooperatives can bring tremendous value to their member systems by developing their own projects. We look forward to Lightsource BP reaching commercial operations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur Boards of Directors are strategic not only in what types of generation facilities our system needs, but also in location,\u201d said Corey Linville, vice president, power supply and delivery for Mid-Kansas and Sunflower. \u201cLocating a solar facility at our Johnson Corner Substation will reduce loading on an area transmission line that is importing energy at its full capacity and would otherwise require expensive upgrades without the local energy injection provided by the Johnson Corner Solar Project.\u201d<\/p>\n\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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Related news & insights<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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13 Jan, 2026<\/p>\n \n

Lightsource bp and Toyota enter into a power contract in Texas<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

Lightsource bp and Toyota Motor North America have finalized a virtual power purchase agreement for energy from the 231MW Jones City 2 solar farm in Texas.<\/p>\n

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14 Oct, 2025<\/p>\n \n

Lightsource bp and Pinnacle Financial Partners announce $97.9M tax equity deal for Peacock Solar<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

\u00a0Lightsource bp and Pinnacle Financial Partners today announced the closing of a $97.9 million tax equity deal to finance the 187 MW Peacock Solar in San Patricio County, TX.<\/p>\n

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15 Aug, 2025<\/p>\n \n

Lightsource bp wins two North American Agrivoltaics Awards<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

Lightsource bp proudly announces receipt of two North American Agrivoltaics Awards: Solar Ranch of the Year and Champion of the Year.<\/p>\n

Read Story <\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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